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MS in Finance: Wash U Olin, U Rochester Simon, or MIT Sloan?

For people who only like to vote, which program should I go to in case MIT rejects me?

  • University of Rochester, Simon (Master in Finance)

    Votes: 1 9.1%

  • Washington University in St. Louis, Olin (Master in Finance)

    Votes: 10 90.9%
  • Total voters
    11
Trudy Pham

Trudy Pham

Joined
2/18/14
Messages
26
Points
13
Hello everyone,

I am currently in a unresolved situation and desperately seeking for advice from people with better understanding about these programs than I do.

I want to work in either capital market research, or asset management, and have applied to Master in Finance programs at Washington University in St. Louis (Olin), University of Rochester (Simon), and MIT Sloan.

I have been accepted into both Olin and Simon, and pending admission decision at Sloan.

In case MIT doesn't come through, which program should I choose? Olin or Simon?

Thank you!
 
Last edited:
Ken Abbott said:
Quant Finance programs have become like law schools.

Go big or go home.
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Hi Ken,

I'm not sure I understand your advice, MIT is a no-brainer choice, but between Simon and Olin which one should I choose? Money is not the utmost important matter right now.
 
IntoDarkness said:
simon, since they give some money
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IntoDarkness, I forgot to mention that money is the last thing I would take into consideration if Olin and Simon are comparable in all aspects, but seems like they are not. If you have had any experience with either of them please share! thanks!
 
olin should have a better reputation and recruiting, but my friend went there and struggled during recruiting. she eventually landed a f1000 financial analyst gig, which she could just get after her undergrad
 
IntoDarkness said:
olin should have a better reputation and recruiting, but my friend went there and struggled during recruiting. she eventually landed a f1000 financial analyst gig, which she could just get after her undergrad
Click to expand...
That's useful to know. Did she tell you anything about the Career Management Center at Olin? I guess they did not do a good job in helping her...
 
International students are going to struggle because of sponsorship issues. So whatever you choose you need to be realistic and cast a wide net when applying.

MIT is the obvious best choice. If that doesn't happen I would personally choose Washington (assuming you are talking about the corp finance track).

1) It is a diverse class, with both domestic and international students
2) It has a history of FO finance placements like the ones you want
3) It is a T25-30 MBA program and will have banks coming to OCR

The Rochester program is fine, but it is largely comprised of international students. This is and has impacted placements. Rochester also does not have the same OCR that WUSTL will have.

Now if this was me, I would look at it on a cost basis. Both schools are respected and have both alumni and recruiting to land a good job. Even if the degree doesn't get you the exact job you want right away it will be of benefit for your whole career. Pick the school that provides the best ROI.
 
Anthony DeAngelis said:
International students are going to struggle because of sponsorship issues. So whatever you choose you need to be realistic and cast a wide net when applying.

MIT is the obvious best choice. If that doesn't happen I would personally choose Washington (assuming you are talking about the corp finance track).

1) It is a diverse class, with both domestic and international students
2) It has a history of FO finance placements like the ones you want
3) It is a T25-30 MBA program and will have banks coming to OCR

The Rochester program is fine, but it is largely comprised of international students. This is and has impacted placements. Rochester also does not have the same OCR that WUSTL will have.

Now if this was me, I would look at it on a cost basis. Both schools are respected and have both alumni and recruiting to land a good job. Even if the degree doesn't get you the exact job you want right away it will be of benefit for your whole career. Pick the school that provides the best ROI.
Click to expand...
Hi Anthony,

Thank you very much for your insights. I agree with the strengths and limitations of both Rochester and WUSTL that you pinpointed, and just based on these aspects then WUSTL appears to be a better place for me. I do care about quality of faculty and student peers, but OCR and the reputation of the degree in general are somewhat more important to me in landing my first full-time job.

With regard to ROI, Rochester clearly has an advantage because I am being offered a 60% tuition scholarship to go there. But again it is hard to tell if the difference in return is largely a result of which program I eventually attend.
 
60% tuition is a pretty big thing. Simon is a great business school. Just go into this realizing you are going to have to work harder (it is unfair) than others to get a job you want. Good luck!
 
Anthony DeAngelis said:
60% tuition is a pretty big thing. Simon is a great business school. Just go into this realizing you are going to have to work harder (it is unfair) than others to get a job you want. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Hi Anthony,

I was admitted into MIT MFin class of 2015, with fellowship. The problem is solved now! Thank you for all your advice!
 
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